New York City Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Every person has the right to pursue their careers and earn a living in safety and under the protection of the law. Despite the strict laws that prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace, some employers consistently fail to provide these protections to their employees.

The resulting instances of sexual harassment can have a profound impact on an individual’s life. Not only may they feel unable to continue working and suffer economic losses, but the psychological or physical impacts may be just as severe.

A New York City sexual harassment attorney may be able to help employees to pursue appropriate remedies. They can work to investigate the incident, explain a person’s rights, and to demand appropriate compensation from all liable parties. Let a committed defense attorney get to work for you.

What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment in the workplace is unwanted sexual advances, sexual contact, or other physical or verbal actions that are sexual in nature. The conduct must affect the employee’s job, unreasonably interfere with work performance, or create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. Types of sexual harassment include:

• Direct sexual contact or conduct by the employer which includes sexual remarks or advances.
• Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when an employer or supervisor asks or suggests through physical conduct that an employee perform sexual favors in return for some benefit at work including a promotion or career advancement. If any employment decision is based upon the satisfaction of a sexual demand, that is quid pro quo sexual harassment. Even a consensual sexual relationship can be the product of sexual harassment if the employee is coerced into it due to promises of a promotion or career advancement.
• Hostile work environment sexual harassment occurs where an employee is subject to sexually verbal or physical behavior in the workplace. This includes conduct which is sexual in nature and severe enough to create an offensive working environment. This conduct can include communications of derogatory comments, epithets, slurs, and jokes; or sexually suggestive, graphic or sexually abusive language.

A New York City sexual harassment attorney could help to investigate a person’s time at work to determine if sexual harassment has occurred.

Examples of Harassment Charges

Many instances of apparent sexual harassment are criminal offenses. New York Penal Law §130.52 states that it is illegal for any person to forcibly touch another person’s sexual organs without permission.

Even if no contact results, an arrest may follow. New York Penal Law §240.26 prohibits repeated actions that threaten another’s well-being. For example, it is possible that making repeated sexual jokes or comments could fall under this category.

What are the Potential Penalties for Sexual Harassment in New York City?

As a New York City attorney can further explain, a criminal conviction for sexual harassment or a similar offense can have serious consequences. Forcible touching is a class A misdemeanor. This means that a conviction may result in a fine of up to $1,000, a jail sentence of up to one year, or both.

Even if the alleged offense is not deemed a criminal act under the law, i.e., not a felony or misdemeanor, and is instead a violation, such as in the case of harassment in the second degree, the prosecution may require a person to pay a fine or spend time in jail.

Additionally, some convictions may require a defendant to register as a sex offender. Usually, this only applies if a person is a repeat offender or commits an act of violence involving sex.

Speak with a New York City Sexual Harassment Attorney

Our New York City sexual harassment lawyers have negotiated millions of dollars’ worth of settlements for clients who have been sexually harassed in the workplace. Having a tenacious trial lawyer with a long history of success in high profile criminal cases can only aid you in your fight for justice. Call our office to discuss your case today.